Method of mounting liquid crystal display module and apparatus thereof

ABSTRACT

A method of mounting a liquid crystal display module thereof which secures an upper sash including the liquid crystal display module to a lower sash in a notebook personal computer. An arm coupled to one end of a fixed rod by a hinge is arranged to be positioned between a side wall of the upper sash and a side wall of the lower sash. A screw goes through from the side wail of the upper sash, via the arm, to the side wall of the liquid crystal display module.

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.97-20550, filed in Korea on May 24, 1997, which is hereby incorporatedby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a computer having a liquid crystaldisplay module, and more particularly, to a method of mounting a liquidcrystal display module in a computer such as a notebook personalcomputer (hereinafter referred to as "NTPC").

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, a conventional NTPC is manufactured having a size that allowsa user to exploit information in the course of his travels. In such anNTPC, a liquid crystal display (LCD) module is used as the displaydevice for displaying the information. The liquid crystal display modulehas to be protected from being damaged when moving the computer systemincluding the LCD module and a keyboard. Also, the LCD module has to besecured to a sash (or moveable frame) so it may be opened at time ofuse. To this end, the liquid crystal display module was provided at abottom surface or an inner surface such that it overlapped with thekeyboard installed on a top surface or an inner surface, or that it isopened for a user together with the keyboard, as the upper sash pivotswith respect to one side of the lower sash.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a conventional notebook personal computer andFIG. 2 is a side view of the conventional notebook personal computer.Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the conventional NTPC, a liquid crystaldisplay module and an upper sash 12 are pivotally secured to a lowersash 10 by a hinge 20, as shown in FIG. 1. A protection rod 14a isdefined in the edge of the liquid crystal display module 14, and asupport piece 14b is defined in the protection rod 14a. This supportpiece 14b is secured to the bottom surface or inner surface of the uppersash 12 by means of screws 22, thereby supporting the liquid crystaldisplay module 14 in such a manner that it is not moved.

Meanwhile, the hinge 20 pivotally couples an arm 18 with one end of afixed rod 16. This fixed rod 16 is secured to the inner side, that is,to the rear wall of the lower sash 10 by means of the screw, 22. The arm18 is secured to the bottom surface or inner surface of the upper sash12 by means of the screws 22, thereby supporting the liquid crystaldisplay module 14 and the upper sash 12 in such a manner that they pivotwith respect to the upper end of the rear wall of the upper sash 10.Further, an arm 16 is formed in the shape of an "F" such that it cansufficiently bear the load of the upper sash 12, that is, it makes goodcontact with the bottom surface of the upper sash 12.

In the conventional NTPC, as described above, the hinge 20 and theliquid crystal display module 14 are secured to the bottom surface ofthe upper sash 12 separately. This brings about a complication in themanufacturing process. Also, since the arm occupies a great area in theupper sash, the available area of the display portion, that is, theliquid crystal display module, becomes small. This increases thedimension of the NTPC.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a method of mounting aliquid crystal display module and an apparatus thereof thatsubstantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitationsand disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of mounting aliquid crystal display module and an apparatus thereof that can minimizea manufacturing process of the NTPC.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method ofmounting a liquid crystal display module and an apparatus thereof thatcan minimize the dimension of NTPC.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theobjectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized andattained by the structure particularly pointed out in the writtendescription and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, a method ofmounting a liquid crystal display module in a computer having an uppersash, a lower sash, and a fixed rod coupling the upper sash to the lowersash, the upper sash including the liquid crystal display module, ahinge coupled to the fixed rod, and an arm coupled to the hinge,comprises the steps of arranging the arm, coupled to one end of thefixed rod through the hinge in the upper sash, to be positioned betweena side wall of the upper sash a side wall of the liquid crystal displaymodule; and fastening together the side wall of the upper sash and theside wall of the liquid crystal display module through the arm.

In another aspect of the present invention, a mounting apparatus of aliquid crystal display module in a computer including an upper sashsecured pivotally to a lower sash thereof, the liquid crystal displaymodule being installed in the upper sash, comprises a fixed rod securedto an inner side af the lower sash; a hinge coupled to the fixed rod; anarm coupled pivotally to one end of the fixed rod through the hinge; anda screw securing the upper sash and the liquid crystal display modulethrough the arm.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of mounting aliquid crystal model comprises the steps of arranging an arm coupledwith one end of a fixed rod by a hinge in such a manner that it isdisposed between a side wall of the upper sash and a side wall of theliquid crystal display module, and going through a screw from the sidewall of the upper sash to the side wall of the liquid crystal displaymodule by way of the arm.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a mounting apparatus of aliquid crystal display module in a notebook personal computer whichincludes an upper sash secured pivotally to a lower sash thereof and aliquid crystal display module installed to the upper sash, comprises afixed rod secured to the inner side of the lower sash, and an armcoupled pivotally with one end of the fixed rod by a hinge, and securedto a side wall of the upper sash by a screw along with the liquidcrystal display module.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front section view of the conventional notebook personalcomputer;

FIG. 2 is a side section view of the conventional notebook personalcomputer;

FIG. 3 is a front section view of a notebook personal computer accordingto an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a side section view of a notebook personal computer accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 3 is a front section view of an NTPC employing a mounting apparatusfor a liquid crystal display module according to an embodiment of thepresent invention, and FIG. 4 is a side section view of an NTPCemploying a mounting apparatus for a liquid crystal display moduleaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the NTPC includes an upper sash 32 pivotallysecured to a lower sash 30 by a hinge 40. This upper sash 32 is providedwith a liquid crystal display module 34, and the edges or side walls ofthe liquid crystal display module 34, are provided with a protection rod34a. The upper sash 32 has a rectangular plastic plate 32a, side walls32b extending perpendicularly from the plastic plate 32a, a front wallnot shown, and a rear wall 32c. Further, there is provided a blade 32dextending in parallel with the plastic plate 32a or extending with aslant toward the plastic plate 32a, in the upper ends of these walls,that is, the side walls 32b, front wall, and rear wall 32c.

Meanwhile, the hinge 40 pivotally couples an arm 38 with one end of afixed rod 36. This fixed rod 36 goes through a hole, not shown, definedfrom a middle position of the rear wall 32c of the uppers sash 32 to theend position of the blade 32d and a hole, not shown, defined from therear side end of the upper plate of the lower sash 30, and then extendsto the inner side of the lower sash 30. Further another side of thefixed rod 36 is secured to the inner face of the rear wall of the lowersash 30 by means of screws 42. The arm 38 is formed in such a mannerthat it extends from the hinge 40 by a length of the side face of theliquid crystal display module 34. The arm 38 also opposes the protectionrod 34a and the side wall 32b of the upper sash 32. Thus, the arm 38 issecured by the screw 42 to be positioned between the protection rod 34aand the side wall 32b of the upper sash 32. At this time, the screw 42passes through the side wall 32b of the upper sash 32 and the 38 andthen reaches a middle position of the protection rod 34a, therebycoupling both of the liquid crystal display module 34 and the arm 38with the upper sash 32. Accordingly, both of tile upper sash 32 and theliquid crystal display module 34 pivots with respect to the rear sideedge of the lower sash 30 along with the arm 38. Also, an occupied areaof the arm 38 at the upper sash 32 is reduced. In addition, although thehinge is disposed at the inner side of the upper sash 32 in the presentembodiment, it may be disposed at the lower sash 30 for the sake ofreducing the size of the upper sash 32.

As described above, according to an liquid crystal display modulemounting apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to reduce amanufacturing process of the NTPC by securing the arm and the liquidcrystal display module to the side wall of the upper sash. Also, theliquid crystal display module mounting apparatus of the presentinvention can increase the available area of the display portion as wellas a reduction in the dimension of NTPC.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the method of mountingliquid crystal display module and apparatus thereof of the presentinvention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modificationsand variations of this invention provided they come within the scope ofthe appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of mounting a liquid crystal displaymodule in a computer having an upper sash, a lower sash, and a fixed rodcoupling the upper sash to the lower sash, the upper sash including theliquid crystal display module, a hinge coupled to the fixed rod, and anarm coupled to the hinge, the method comprising the steps of:arrangingthe arm, coupled to one end of the fixed rod through the hinge, to bepositioned between a side wall of the upper sash and a side wall of theliquid crystal display module; and fastening together the side wall ofthe upper sash and the side wall of the liquid crystal display modulethrough the arm.
 2. The method of mounting a liquid crystal displaymodule according to claim 1, wherein the fastening step uses a fastenerpenetrating the side wall of the upper sash and the arm and partiallypenetrating the liquid crystal display module.
 3. The method of mountinga liquid crystal display module according to claim 2, wherein thefastening step uses a screw as the fastener.
 4. The method of mounting aliquid crystal display module according to claim 1, further comprisingthe step of positioning the hinge at an inner side of the upper sash. 5.A mounting apparatus of a liquid crystal display module in a computerincluding an upper sash secured pivotally to a lower sash thereof, theliquid crystal display module being installed in the upper sash,comprising:a fixed rod secured to an inner side of the lower sash; ahinge coupled to the fixed rod; an arm coupled pivotally to one end ofthe fixed rod through the hinge; and a fastener securing the upper sashand the liquid crystal display module through tile arm at a sidewall ofthe liquid crystal display module after.
 6. The mounting apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein the hinge is positioned at an inner sideof the upper sash.
 7. The mounting apparatus according to claim 5,wherein the fastener includes a screw.
 8. A mounting apparatus of aliquid crystal display module in a computer including an upper sashsecured pivotally to a lower sash thereof, the liquid crystal displaymodule being installed in the upper sash, comprising:means for securinga fixed rod to an inner side of the lower sash; a hinge coupled to thefixed rod; means for pivotally coupling an arm to one end of the fixedrod through the hinge; and means for securing the upper sash and theliquid crystal display module through the arm at a sidewall of theliquid crystal display module.
 9. The mounting apparatus according toclaim 8, wherein the hinge is positioned at an inner side of upper sash.10. The mounting apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the securingmeans includes a screw.
 11. A liquid crystal display unit including anupper portion coupled to a lower portion, the upper portion including aliquid crystal display module, comprising:a fixed member secured to thelower portion; a hinge coupled to the fixed member; an arm coupledpivotally to the fixed member through the hinge; and a fastener securingthe upper portion and the liquid crystal display module through the armat a sidewall of the liquid crystal display module.
 12. The liquidcrystal display unit according to claim 11, wherein the fastenerpenetrates a part of the upper portion and the arm and at leastpartially penetrates the liquid crystal display module.
 13. The liquidcrystal display unit according to claim 12, wherein the liquid crystaldisplay module includes a protection rod and the fastener at leastpartially penetrates the protection rod of the liquid crystal displaymodule.
 14. The liquid crystal display unit according to claim 11,wherein the fastener includes a screw.
 15. The liquid crystal displayunit according to claim 11, wherein the upper portion has at least onehole at an outer edge, and the upper portion, the liquid crystal displaymodule, and the arm are fastened together through the at least one holeat the outer edge of the upper portion.
 16. A liquid crystal displayunit including an upper portion coupled to a lower portion, the upperportion including a liquid crystal display module, comprising:means forsecuring a fixed member to the lower portion; means for coupling a hingeto the fixed member; means for pivotally coupling an arm to the fixedmember through the hinge; and means for fastening the upper portion andthe liquid crystal display module through the at a sidewall of theliquid crystal display module.
 17. A method of mounting a liquid crystaldisplay module in a computer having an upper portion, a lower portion, afixed member coupling the upper portion to the lower portion, a hingecoupled to the fixed member, and an arm coupled to the hinge, the upperportion including the liquid crystal display module having a protectionrod, the method comprising the steps of:arranging the arm, coupled tothe fixed member through the hinge in the upper portion, to bepositioned between a side wall of the upper portion and the protectionrod of the liquid crystal display module; and fastening together theside wall of the upper portion and the protection rod through the arm.18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the fastening step uses afastener penetrating the side wall of the upper portion and the arm andat least partially penetrating the protection rod of the liquid crystaldisplay module.
 19. The method according to claim 17, wherein thefastening step uses a screw as the fastener.
 20. The method according toclaim 17, wherein the side wall of the upper portion is fastened to theprotection rod of the liquid crystal display module directly through thearm.
 21. The method according to claim 17, wherein the side wall of theupper portion has at least one hole at an outer edge, and the side wallof the upper portion, the liquid crystal display module, and the arm arefastened together through the at least one hole at the outer edge of theupper portion.
 22. A portable computer comprising:an upper portionincluding a display module; a lower portion; a fixed member coupling theupper portion to the lower portion; a hinge coupled to the fixed member;and an arm coupled to the hinge and positioned between a side wall ofthe upper portion and the display module; wherein the side wall of theupper portion and the display module are fastened together through thearm.
 23. The portable computer according to claim 22, wherein a fastenerpenetrates the side wall of the upper portion and the arm and at leastpartially penetrates the display module.
 24. The portable computeraccording to claim 23, wherein the fastener includes a screw.
 25. Theportable computer according to claim 22, wherein the side wall of theupper portion is fastened to a protection rod of the display moduledirectly through the arm.
 26. The portable computer according to claim22, wherein the side wall of the upper portion has at least one hole atan outer edge, and the side wall of the upper portion, the displaymodule, and the arm are fastened together through the at least one holeat the outer edge of the upper portion.